Yellow fluffy Chick hatched from an egg in the nest of old broody hen Speckles. With joy, the broody hen clucked loudly throughout the barn: "Cluck-cluck! I'm so happy! I have so many little ones now! Come closer, sisters and neighbours, look at my chicks, congratulate me!".
Oh my! I also had ducklings born recently, ― quacked the grey duck. ― I didn't boast like that and didn't shout throughout the whole farmyard.
Quiet over there. You'll frighten my goslings. They're only planning to come out of their eggs tomorrow, ― hissed the white goose, turning over her grey speckled eggs with her beak.
I'll come over and peck you, old hen, ― said the displeased turkey. ― My little ones are so timid and delicate, they're afraid of every sound. They could die from fright.
I have more little ones than anyone! ― Speckles continued to boast. ― Soon our mistress will come and feed us delicious food!
The hen gathered her chicks and led them outside to show them the bright sun, blue sky, and warm earth. Digging in the soil and finding an earthworm was her favourite activity.
Not far away, the grown turkey chicks with their mother and stern father were pecking at green grass. The turkey parents watched their offspring carefully and chatted with each other.
Cluck-cluck! Everyone here, little chicks! ― clucked the hen. ― I found an earthworm for you!
The chicks began to dig in the soil with their mother. At that moment, a duck came out of the barn with her ducklings and headed towards the pond nearby. The ducklings waddled after the grey Duck in single file, swaying from foot to foot. Little Chick tagged along with the duck family. She walked last. Speckles was so busy with the worm that she didn't notice her missing.
The ducklings entered the pond and slowly swam after their mother. Chick walked after them deeper and deeper, but she couldn't manage to swim.
The Duck looked back and saw that the little chick had gone into the water… was about to drown!
Quack-quack! Help! A chick in the water! ― she quacked loudly and rushed to help the little one. She grabbed Chick by the wing with her beak and threw her onto her back.
Hold on tight! I'll take you to shore!
The duck swam while Chick sat and looked around.
How beautiful it is on the pond! And I'm like a queen on a ship! ― the little rascal rejoiced.
Meanwhile, Speckles finally noticed that one chick was missing.
Where is my chick, my little yellow bundle? Where did she go? Has anyone seen my Chick? ― the hen began to cluck loudly.
The turkey family responded to her cry.
You're so careless, Mama Speckles, you didn't watch the chick!
A little puppy sitting in a kennel on a chain heard the birds making a fuss and barked loudly: "Woof-woof! Woof-woof!". Such a commotion arose that the mistress came out of the house. She looks: hen Speckles is running around and clucking loudly.
What's happened? ― the woman thought. And suddenly she saw: an old Duck was walking, and behind her a little yellow chick was toddling. The Duck was leading him to the farmyard, while the ducklings were swimming in the pond themselves.
What a good girl you are, bringing the chick home. He must have tagged along with your family, and the hen didn't see. The little one wanted to swim, ― the mistress smiled.
Speckles ran up to the grey Duck and began to thank her neighbour: "Thank you for finding my Chick! Now I'll watch my little ones more carefully!".
We're all mothers and should help each other, ― answered the Duck.
